10 Gardening Activities for the Northeast in December

1. Prepare for Deer

Inspect any deer fencing you have to make sure it’s sturdy and that no holes have developed. During the winter months when food is scarce, deer can be more vigilant in pursuing plants. If you don’t have deer fencing and don’t want it, consider reading up on deer-resistant design as you plan updates to next year’s garden. Check out these books that can help you select the right plants and make good design choices for deer-resistant gardens: Deer Resistant Design, 50 Beautiful Deer-Resistant Plants, Deer-Resistant Landscaping.

2. Consider Trimming Trees

If you haven’t cut back trees and they are heavy with foliage (evergreens) or have thick branches, consider trimming them now. Make sure the cuts aren’t too severe and that the branches aren’t too large. Heavy pruning can shock and damage the tree. Making minor cuts will help prevent damage as snow accumulates during the winter. Among others, here’s one book to guide you through the pruning process. Or, you can find an arborist online if you want professional help.

3. Reflect on the Year & Read Garden Books

This is a good time of year to write a garden wish list for next year. Consider all the gardening successes, failures, garden visits, people you’ve spoken with, and plants you’ve run across; then write your wish list of garden updates, redesigns, and plants to grow next year. December is also a good time to pick a few gardening books that will help you get ready for next year. Check out Garden Design's bookstore for books if you’re interested in design, problem solving, growing food, garden destinations, and more.

4. Plan Your Edible Garden & Schedule Seed Sowing

The end of the season is the best time to plan next year’s garden because successes and failures are fresh. Use what you’ve learned this year when ordering seeds, planning your garden, and figuring out when you’ll sow seeds indoors or transplant outdoors. Use this wonderful online seed sowing tool to plan your planting dates. There are also easy-to-use apps such as GrowVeg that can be used to design your edible garden.

5. Consider Redesigning Your Garden

The late fall and winter months are the perfect times to redesign your garden. Planning and designing can be done through the winter and any changes or construction can begin first thing in the spring. You can contact a local landscape architect or garden designer if you want someone to come out to your property and work with you one-on-one. Also consider online design services such as Home Outside that offer remote landscape design and planting advice at a more economical price.

6. Choose Your Christmas Tree Wisely

If you’re buying a Christmas tree this season, check out this list of farms by state. When selecting a tree at the farm, inspect the tree for signs of distress—brown or yellowing needles, excessive needle drop, or a crooked trunk. You’ll also want to bend a few needles in your hand; they should bend and not break. If they're brittle, select a different tree. Another test is to lift a few branches and let them drop back into place. If lots of needles fall off, select a new tree. Once you get your tree home, place it in water and water it daily. A Christmas tree should get about a quart of water for every inch of trunk diameter. Be sure to place your tree in a location that’s not near a fireplace or heating vents that can dry out the tree.

7. Add a Layer of Mulch to Protect Plants

Mulch can help protect plants from harsh freezes. Once snow starts to accumulate, the layers of mulch and snow will insulate plant roots. When applying mulch, be sure to spread it out evenly in a 2- to 3-inch layer. Avoid mounding mulch in piles because in can be attractive to pests such as gophers and voles. It’s also important to keep mulch from mounding around tree and shrub trunks because it can cause rot. Leave several inches around trunks free of mulch or make sure it’s spread very thinly. Read more about how to use mulch in your garden.

8. Start an Indoor Garden

Continue producing tasty and beautiful greens by starting an indoor garden for salad greens, herbs, or microgreens. You can purchase kits that are easy to set up such as this indoor salad garden kit or this indoor herb and microgreens kit. You can also buy planters that fit on a window ledge and plant those with the herbs you love best.

9. Move Outdoor Furnishings or Cover Properly

Storing your outdoor furnishings in a covered location such as a garage or shed will help keep them looking beautiful and performing well for many years. Place chairs, cushions, heaters, tables, and any other furnishings in a dry location. If you leave furniture outdoors, consider using water-repellent covers such as Duck Covers which are durable and can be secured to the furniture legs using the built-in strap (this is important so wind doesn’t blow them off). Check your covers for rips or holes where excessive moisture can get under the covers (always store cushions indoors). Old covers should be replaced.

10. Decorate for the Holidays with Foliage and Flowers

Decorating with fresh evergreens—either from your garden or purchased locally—will fill your home with lush foliage and seasonal fragrance. Check out these ideas for decorating for the holidays from Jenni Kayne. You don’t have to stop there. Decorations with colorful flowers such as ranunculus and lady slipper orchids can add vibrancy. Also consider using pinecones, twigs, and branches for a naturalistic feel. Check out these two articles: creating a wintery floral arrangement and setting the table for a holiday lunch.